MURDERED

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 07:41:51 +0000

…witness recounts how UPND cadres killed PF member

By CHINTU MALAMBO

A WITNESS yesterday told the Lusaka High Court that he saw two UPND cadres stab a suspected PF rival in Kanyama compound last year, after the opposition party’s planned rally was cancelled. 

This is in a matter in which James Banda and Fabian Mwanza, both 23, are alleged to have killed Steven Kalipa on April 2, 2017.

The two are also facing another charge of possessing offensive materials.

It is alleged that one of the accused persons was found with a sharp metal instrument round his waist.

Testifying before High Court Judge Mwamba Chanda, John Mulanishako, a resident of Kanyama, narrated that on April 2, 2017, while conducting his business at Mbasela market in Kanyama, he saw a group of people clad in UPND regalia running from the market’s entrance into the opposite direction.

Mr. Mulanishako told the court that he rushed out to see who they were and he managed to identify the people who were in front because they lived in the same area.

He told the court that about 12 metres away from where he was standing, the UPND cadres met Mr Kalipa whom they confronted, and when they tried to grab him, he started running.

Mr Mulanishako also testified that Mr Kalipa ran into an open area and it was there that junior Mbuzi (Fabian Mwanza) picked a stone and hit Mr. Kalipa in the back.  He said the victim started limping and stopped running then “Menomeno” (James Banda) produced a knife from his pocket and stabbed him.

“About 12 metres away from where I stood, a group of UPND cadres met Steve and I could see them confronting him even though I could not hear what they were saying.  When they were about to get hold of him, he ran into an open area where they sell charcoal.

“I then went to a straight road to see what was happening. Then I saw ‘Junior Mbuzi’ pick a stone and he hit him on the backbone. He became weak and stopped running then ‘Menomeno’ produced a knife from his pocket and stabbed Steve,” Mr Mulanishako said.

Mr Mulanishako told the court that the two then dragged Mr Kalipa to a wall where they left him.